Free-roaming ferret destroys 28-year-old woman's $900 silk dress, best friend refuses to take responsibility for her pet and pay for the damage: “Her lawyer dad sent me a letter saying I'm liable for damages"

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Apr 17, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

We all know a Cat Dad or a Dog Mom, but there isn't a fun, parental name for those quirky individuals who choose to keep unusual pets. If I am not mistaken, there are no Rabbit Aunts, Snake Uncles, or Tarantula Godparents. I knew a girl in college who kept roaches. They weren't the kind you'd find under your floorboards or something; they were Madagascar Hissing Roaches – a variety of cockroach that is known to be quite docile. For some, this insect is a pest, for others a pet, and for chameleon-owners, a food source for their lizard.

In our story today, a mid-20s woman lets her unusual pet – a ferret – run amok during girls nights. His free-roaming presence has never caused an issue before, but when he spots a silky, satin dress, he cannot control himself, and he jumps on the shiny fabric. The dress tears, and its owner demands that our protagonist pay her back $900. Internet commenters are pretty split on who is at fault in this case. Scroll down to read the full story and debate. 

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  • 01

    AITA for refusing to pay my friend after my ferret "attacked" her $900 dress?

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    via AndreyPopov

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So I (29F) have a pet ferret Noodles. He's super friendly and curious, and I let him free roam when I'm home. My friend Kara (28F, fake name) came over last weekend for wine night with a few of our other friends. She showed up wearing this very extra silk dress, said she had a date after and didn't I have time to change.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 03
    A- ETOM!
    via capturenow

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 04
    I told her maybe not the best outfit for a casual girls night but whatever. Well, at one point she gets up to go to the kitchen and Noodles, being the menace he
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 05
    is, bolts toward her and jumps up. His little claws snag the back of her dress and it tears maybe a 1/2" slit. She screams, freaks out, and runs into the bathroom sobbing.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 06
    The whole vibe di d instantly. I felt bad but also like... you wore a $900 dress to drink boxed wine on my carpet with a literal ferret present??
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422

  • Why does our protagonist sound so judgemental over her friend's attire? She said she didn't have to go and change after a date. If our protagonist has been acting this dismissive and callous, it's no wonder that the friend is reacting disproportionately. 

  • 07
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    via Tatyana Consaul

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    Anyway, she sends me a Venmo request later that night for $920. apparently the dress is from some vintage designer and the repair requires specialist fabric sourcing. I declined the request. She sent it again. I declined again.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 09
    Now she's telling everyone I'm irresponsible and letting my rodent ruin people's things. She even told our group chat that I let Noodles drink wine (he just sniffed the glass one time???). My other friends are split. Some say I should pay at least something, others say Kara's being dramatic.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 10
    Then today... her lawyer dad sent me a letter saying I'm liable for damages. I literally laughed out loud. Like, what judge is gonna look at me and say "yes, pay $900 because your ferret got excited about silk."
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422

  • While paying the full $900 is really excessive, our protagonist should take accountability for her pet's behavior and pay some amount. 

  • 11
    strawberrymom1030 INFO: Did she know that Noodles was a free roaming ferret before she came over? le: has she been over before and seen him free roaming?
    via u/strawberrymom1030
  • 12
    PotentialWasabi3422 OP Yes! We've been friends for a decade now - she's met Noodles several times and knows the vibe. It wasn't a surprise that Noodles was free roaming.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 13
    strawberrymom1030 Then definitely NTA. She knew he'd be roaming free, she took that chance. It's all on her.
    via u/strawberrymom1030
  • 14
    BuilderWide1961 You realize you are lucky she didn't panic and go to hit your pet right when if was on her... If a pet jumps at people for everyone's safety including the animal put them away
    via u/BuilderWide1961
  • 15
    slug_guy225 is he known for acting like this? i definitely wouldn't wear a fancy outfit to a situation like this regardless, but personally i wouldn't expect a ferret to jump up on me like that. im honestly conflicted because i've seen people's pets ruin other people's belongings before and i tend to say the pet owner is responsible.
    via u/slug_guy225
  • 16
    Organic_Gap3112 YTA- You invited company to your house. All you had to do was put your pet up. If I was your friend I wouldn't think it would be an issue meeting up at your apartment before a date in a nice dress. You shouldn't be so callous of the fact that your pet jumped on your invited guest and ruined her dress.
    via u/Organic_Gap3112
  • 17
    Someone NamedAdam My cats and dogs are out when my friends and family come over. My friends leave their cats and dogs out when I come over. Why is the ferret different? I'm not saying OP has no responsibility, but assuming that all animals should be caged/ crated when company is over is a silly take.
    via u/SomeoneNamedAdam
  • 18
    Also, children are just as likely to cause damage to clothing or possessions. And they're almost always allowed out when company is over! Edit: (Cause I should have included this before)
    via u/SomeoneNamedAdam
  • 19
    OP can be (and I would say is) the AH. My argument is that leaving Noodles out is not what made OP the AH. OP refusing to take responsibility for their pets actions is what made OP the AH.
    via u/SomeoneNamedAdam
  • 20
    Worldly_Mirror_1555 If your cat or dog were a "menace" (OP's words) would you leave them out when friends and family are over? I wouldn't.
    via u/Worldly_Mirror_1555
  • 21
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    via Irina Vasilevskaia

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  • 22
    lulugingerspice It's just like if your kid ruins/breaks something. Yes, they're a child and accidents are to be expected, but you are still responsible for their actions and for making reparations when necessary.
    via u/lulugingerspice
  • 23
    I have 5 cats, and if they ruined something that belonged to a friend while the friend was over, I would expect to pay to replace or repair it. You don't get to pull the "It's just a ferret!" card here.
    via u/lulugingerspice
  • 24
    PracticeTheory If we're going to take this stance - does this mean the host should control what people wear and/or turn them away at the door based on the value of what they're wearing? "Ooh, sorry Pam, I can't let you in. I love the dress but I can't afford to replace it if something happens when you're in my home."
    via u/PracticeTheory
  • 25
    TimberGoing Down Exactly this! Should I hang out with people based on if I could replace their wardrobe if I had a klutz moment? At what point are people responsible for their own expensive stuff?
    via u/TimberGoingDown
  • 26
    Ok-Afternoon9050 This all day long. OP could offer to pay a little to have the dress mended but replacement of such an expensive item seems outrageous. A person is individually responsible to wear appropriate items to any occasion. I
    via u/Ok-Afternoon9050
  • 27
    accidentally wore white sweatpants to the dog park last week and a lady was mortified when her pup jumped up on me and got mud on my pants. I told her not to worry as I knew I was in an off leash park. I was only annoyed at myself for not wearing black like I usually do.
    via u/Ok-Afternoon9050
  • 28
    iheartwords INFO You're obviously judging her for wearing an expensive dress to be in your home. Did you warn people that your pet is a menace, your words, and that they should dress accordingly?
    via u/iheartwords
  • 29
    Potential Wasabi3422 OP She has known noodles since I got him and has even pet sit for me before. If fancy dress was the vibe and it was that kind of hangout I would have put noodles up but it was literally a wine night in casual clothes except for Kara. We've done this many times before with noodles out and about but sans the expensive dresses and had no issues.
    via u/PotentialWasabi3422
  • 30
    irish798 But you saw what she was wearing when she arrived. You should have put the animal away at that time. This damage was caused by your animal in your home and you should pay for the dress. Yes YTA
    via u/irish798
  • 31
    SpareCartographer402 The decade old friend could have also asked that noodles be put away, hindsight is 20/20 tho. It was an accident if you can't afford a 900 dollar accident dont buy a 900 dollar dress or atleast be more selective where you wear it. 900 dollars is alot to ask for.
    via u/SpareCartographer402

Tags

ferret friendship fashion besties AITAH pets lawyer toxic relationships expensive breakup Reddit money girls night entitled people
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